Stamp or envelope moistener



(No Model.)

A. STUEBNER.

STAMP 0R ENVELOPE MOISTENER.

Patented Dec. 4, 1894.

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Unmet) STATES PATENT tries.

SADIOLPHSTUEBNEIR, OF BENNETT, PENNSYLVANIA.

STAMPSORI ENVELOPE MOISTEN ER.

SPECIFI CATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 530,135, dated December 4, 1894.

Application filed March 19, 1894.

To all whom/tit may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADOLPH STUEBNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bennett, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Stamp and Envelope Moistener, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to stamp and envelope moisteners, and it has for its object to pro-. videa simple, neat, inexpensive and efficient device adapted for desk use; to provide means for spreading the water or other liquid in a thin film upon the surface of the stamp or envelope and for controlling the amount of discharge of such liquid; and to provide means in connection with the moistener for rubbing or pressing the stamp or flap of an envelope to insure its'adhesion.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a moistener embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section on a plane perpendicular to that of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a View of a slightly modified form of my invention, in which the rubbing or pressing surface is arranged adjacent to the discharge nipple. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the nipple of the moistener, showing a flexible strip arranged in the outlet slit thereof. a detail view of the lips and sleeve.

Similar numerals of referenceindicate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

1 designates a reservoir or bulb, preferably of elastic material, as rubber, which may be flattened at one end to form a bottom, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, whereby when not in useit may be arranged in an upright position; and connected to one end of this reservoir 0r bulb is the nipple 2, such connection being accomplished by means of a cap 3 which is fitted over the edge of the bulb and is pro- Vided with an inner core or stopper to fit within and spread said edge into the concavity 4: of the inner surface of the cap. This core or stopper, which is preferably formed integral with the cap proper, and is indicated at 5, is provided at its lower or inner end with a Fig. 6 is Serial No. 504,284. (No model.)

peripheral lip 6 which spreads the adjacent portion of the bulb and causes the extreme edge of the latter to lie in the groove 7 between the upper side of the lip and the under side of the cap proper. This connection is designed to prevent leakage of the contents of the reservoir or bulb and at the same time permit the members of the moistener to be readily disconnected for the purpose of refilling. The nipple which taps the cap at its center is provided at its outer end with a transverse distributing tube.8, connected with suitable conductors for conveying the contents of the bulb to the point of use. The distributingtube and the conductors may be formed of a continuous tube, as shown in the drawings, in which case the tube is looped at its center, the loop is spread laterally to provide the straight transverse distributing tube, as above described, and the terminals of the loop are brought together and arranged in contact in the central opening in the cap.

The distributing-tube is provided with a series of spaced perforations 9 and is incased in a tubular shell 10 which communicates at one side with an outlet duct formed by the lips 11. These lips which are separated slightly adjacent to their junction with the tubular shell, converge toward their outer ends until the outlet slit between their extremities is microscopical in width to avoid flooding. This close arrangement of the extremities of the lips enables them to be rounded exteriorly to form a suitable surface for contact with the surface of paper in spreading the liquid.

In the modified form of my invention which I have shown in Fig. 5 a thin strip of flexible material, as fabric, is placed in the outlet slit and is held in place by thetproximate lips. This flexible strip is shown in said figure at 12, and it will be understood that the liquid percolates through the interstices between its component threads. The edge of the strip projects slightly beyond the edges of the lips whereby it may fold or lap upon the surface of the paper or other article to be moistened. After moistening an adhesive surface it is necessary, in order to insure the proper con- ICO the requisite smoothness, in connection with the moistening device. Therefore I'have arranged the cap at the end of the bulb, as above described, and provided it with a rounded rubbing or pressing surface 13, which being upon the same side of the moistener as the outlet of the nipple can be used immediately after moistening without turning the bulb in the hand. While this ability to apply the rubbing surface to the object without turning the moistener in the hand is a convenience, it is not essential to the operativeness of the device, and in Fig. II have shown arubbing or pressing surface at 14 on the rear side of the discharge nipple.

It will be understood that in practice various other changes in the form, proportion, andminor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Although I have provided means for arranging the device in an upright position, such position is not necessary to prevent the contents of the bulb from escaping when not in use. The upright position causes the moistener to occupy less space on a desk, and therefore is preferable.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of the reservoir or bulb, and a looped tube in communication at its terminals with the interior of the reservoir or bulb and having a transverse perforated portion, and a discharge nozzle having a transversely elongated outlet, the same being constructed of sheet metal folded upon itself, at one edge, to form a tubular sleeve embracing the transverse perforated portion of the looped tube, and again folded upon itself laterally to form opposite parallel lips which converge toward their outer edges, substantially as specified.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a reservoir or bulb, of a discharge nipple comprising a looped tube in communication at its ends with the interior of the reservoir or bulb and having a transversely disposed perforated portion forming a distributing tube, and an elongated nozzle or outlet communicating with the distributing tube, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ADOLPI-I STUE BN ER.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. Sreenas, E. G. SIGGERS. 

